作者：古拉姆·穆尔塔扎博士

北京理工大学博士后研究员

在中国，人们常问：“你为什么要来中国工作？”对此，我想说的是：我们内心的渴望往往决定了我们的努力方向和使命。在硕士毕业后，我通过了含金量极高的“公务员考试”，在巴基斯坦高等教育部门任讲师一职。在那里，我度过了愉快的四年。

不过，我心里始终藏着一个不为人知的夙愿，就是到国外攻读博士学位。所以，我决定继续我的学术之旅，去一个可以实现我的愿望并发展科学事业的地方。

中国不仅为留学生提供生活补贴，也为其随行的家人提供生活支持。自从1997年 “中国奖学金委员会”成立以来，由于其大量的奖学金项目，中国成为了最受留学生青睐的留学目的地。近十年来，在吸收国际人才、“中国高等教育”全球扩张、培养“知华友华爱华”的留学生人才等政策的指导下，中国接收了一大批留学生。

考虑到上述好处，我选择了中国进行我的博士学习和研究，当然，也可以说是中国选择了我。我和我的妻子都获得了中国政府奖学金的领取资格，并获准在北京理工大学（BIT）读博。过去，我们一直在巴基斯坦从事生物分析化学方面的研究。我们导师的研究范围是生物疗法和分子医学，与我们以前的工作息息相关。因此，我们接受了邀请，并于2016年9月来到中国。我们在校园里度过了一段十分美好的日子，几乎参加了所有学术和学术相关活动。

我在留学生中心（左1），与资源人士在某场会议的合影（左2），2020年会议前夕与导师冯瞿教授的合影（左3）

易地而居从来都不是一件容易的事，尤其对学生来说，要定居在一个文化和语言都迥然不同的新国家，实属不易。但在中国，情况却大不相同，因为中国人总会热情地张开双臂迎接你。过去五年里，我们一直住在北京，过着平淡的生活。只要遵纪守法，你的日常生活和研究就不会受到限制。北京理工大学和当地乡镇居民对外国人也没有偏见。我们喜欢过中国节，也享受和中国人待在一起。

与北京的中国家庭共度中秋前夕

2017年，深圳市政府组织了一次国际青年会议"一带一路"倡议，并邀请了一百名来自世界各地的青年。我有幸参加了此次活动。整个活动历时三天，我们参观了深圳最好的大学和一流企业，例如北京华大基因研究中心（华大基因）和腾讯。

中国十分重视国际合作。如果有兴趣创业，我们可以提交拨款申请书，在中国开展任何业务。透过这个特别的例子，可以看出中国支持年轻人在有经验者的指导下自食其力。

2017年在中国深圳访问华大基因前夕

2017至2021年间，我连续三年参加了北京分析测试学术报告会暨展览会（BCEIA）。这个会议每两年举行一次，邀请来自世界各地的人参与，为合作与搭建工作关系网提供良好契机。这些机会，教育留学生在中国研究期间都可以加以利用。

在北京理工大学实验室工作

在国内外研究人员的携手推动下，青年研究者和青年学生获得了越来越多的机会。在后疫情时代，中国的研发潜能发挥着极为重要的作用，这就需要为留学生和研究人员提供更多合作机会和便利。希望将来我也能在其中贡献我的一份力量。

英文原文如下：

Research life in China

Ghulam Murtaza, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing China

A common question is asked in China, "Why did you come to China to work? I would say, our desires lay the foundation for our endeavors and our destiny. It was after my master's when I qualified for the prestigious, "Public Service Exam" to serve as a lecturer in the Higher Education Department of Pakistan. I served the department happily for four years.

But there was a long-lasting desire somewhere hidden in me to pursue a doctoral degree abroad. Therefore, I went on this expedition to find a place where I could fulfill my desire and flourish my scientific career.

China Chose Me

China offers living support not only for international students but also their accompanied family members. Hence, China has emerged as the favorite destination for many international students ever since China launched its "China Scholarship Council" with a vast scholarship program in 1997. Since the last decade, China has received an influx of international students due to its policy of attracting international talents to reposition, "Chinese higher education" in the world and also to train foreign talents to "know China" (Zhihua), "be friendly towards China" (youhua), and "love China" (aihua).

Considering the above benefits, I chose china/china chose me for my doctoral study and research. I would love to mention that I and my wife got the offer of a Chinese government scholarship together, to pursue a doctoral degree in Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), one of the famous universities in China. We had been engaged in Bioanalytical chemistry research in Pakistan. The research scope of our advisor was biotherapy and molecular medicine related to our previous work; therefore, we accepted the offer and landed in China in September 2016. We had a wonderful life at the campus and participated in all academic and co-academic activities. 

It's never easy to relocate especially as a student and settle in a new country, with an entirely different culture, and language, but when it comes to China, it's not the case as its people receive you with open arms. We have been living here in Beijing for the last five years and we have experienced a smooth life. There are no restrictions on personal and research activities as long as you abide by the Chinese laws. People in the BIT and Local Township have no prejudice against foreigners. We love to enjoy the Chinese festivals along with the local Chinese people.

Witnessing China's Development

This is necessary for academic researchers to visit enterprises to practically see the real-time research and development.

In 2017, the local government of Shenzhen, China organized an international youth conference/One Belt One Road Initiative and invited one hundred youth from all over the world. I had the honor to attend the event. The event spanned over three days and we had a chance to visit top universities and enterprises in the city, for instance, Beijing Genomics Institute, and Tencent.

China values international collaboration with foreigners. We were offered to submit grant proposals to start any business in China, if interested. This is a very unique example of enabling youth to stand on their own feet under the guidance of experienced.

I also participated in the Beijing conference and exhibition for instrumental analysis (BCEIA) for three consecutive years: 2017, 2019, and 2021. This conference is held every two years and hosts participants from within China and abroad and provides the opportunity for cooperation and networking. These are a few examples of which an international student can avail during his research period in China.

Opportunities in China and Prospects

China offers many kinds of scholarships for degree and non-degree programs for international students. This has opened avenues of cooperation between Chinese and international researchers. As a part of this cooperation, I was offered postdoctoral researcher position at BIT. With this position, I have been serving my alma mater since last one year, and able to grow my scientific career. Besides, my school is also hosting several postdoctoral researchers from Pakistan, India, and Africa, around a number of graduate students from Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

More and more opportunities could be created with the cooperation of Chinese and international researchers for the young researchers and students. In the post-COVID-19 era, the role of China's potential in research and development becomes important and demands more cooperation and facilitation for international students and researchers. I am looking forward to play my role in this cooperation in the days to come. 

  往期推荐：

1、一位导师投稿：《终于把我的烂学生送走毕业了》

2、“牛津第一，16岁上大学”，中国美女学霸被骂学术媛？评论区炮火连天，学术人“光鲜亮丽”就是错？

3、全国最被低估的211，先是院校被拆、深陷简称争议，后又被美国制裁，如今发力逆袭！